Fassett GreenSpace gets help from Gamma Pi

Wednesday

WELLSVILLE — Prior to the official opening of the Fassett GreenSpace Saturday, the local Gamma Pi Sorority has given a donation to help with the celebration.

After an impassioned talk by one of the founders of the GreenSpace, Andrew Harris, the sorority sisters were moved to help. They approved a $100 donation to go toward the event to officially open the space to the public.

Gamma Pi treasurer Teresa Uganiski explained, “After Andrew spoke to us, we realized that the GreenSpace project mirrors some of the Sorority’s cultural and community values.”

The funds come from fundraisers hosted by the Sorority, an organization which unites like minded women for the purpose of friendship and cultural enrichment. It is part of the greater, nationally recognized Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

From 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday Arts For Rural America will officially unveil the Fassett Greenspace Project which started building in 2017. Along with officially opening the Main Street attraction, the celebration will also feature three separate events.

At 1:15 p.m. the new Fassett GreenSpace Theme song will be performed by composer Dustin Woodard, a local percussionist who is an Assistant Professor of Music at Alfred University and Houghton College. The composition will be played on the six stainless steel outdoor musical instruments which have been installed at the GreenSpace. The composition will be performed again at 2 p.m.

Woodard hopes the musical piece will be embraced by young musicians from local schools.

At 1:30 p.m. the Mosaic Kiosk will be unveiled. The mosaic tiles were created as part of a summer-long project that invited the public to the GreenSpace to create the tiles. Ceramist Alex Minnick oversaw the project.

Sam Horowitz, a student in the Master of Fine Arts program at Alfred University, has been constructing the wooden kiosk which, along with the mosaic tiles, will house a community information board.

At 1:45 p.m. Saturday the long-awaited fountain will be unveiled and spew a bouquet of water skyward.

Local artist William Underhill, Professor Emeritus at Alfred University, was commissioned to design and build the bronze fountain which was cast by the foundry students in the School of Art and Design at Alfred University.

Harris said that with the fountain being designed by the world-renownedUnderhill, it will draw not only students but also individuals who visit works of art by specific artists.

“I think this will encourage people to drive off the arterial and drive down Main Street to see Underhill’s Fountain and the GreenSpace,” he said.

The celebration will also include locally produced refreshments.

Cassandra Bull, president of Art For Rural America, said there is still work to be done in the 1,500 square foot space which was once the site of the Hotel Fassett.

“We put out the bid for the installation of pavers. We’re planning to announce the bid winner on Sept. 14 with the paving to be done this fall,” she said. An amphitheater will also be installed at the GreenSpace to provide shade and a performance stage.

The Fassett GreenSpace Project, she said, was started with a re-imagining of the empty Fassett Hotel space by students from the Alfred State College architectural program.

“Local student Nate Piscitelli, who was enrolled in the program, envisioned the space. He is living in Rochester now but has been involved with the project. He’s looking forward to being here Saturday,” she said.

Bull explained that the Fassett GreenSpace has been built with hundreds of hours of volunteer labor from across the community, Alfred State College and Alfred University, community donations, and grant funds from the Tri-County Arts Council, Garman Family Grant Fund, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and more, who will all be recognized at Saturday’s celebration.

The cost of building the Fassett GreenSpace has been estimated at approximately $100,000. It includes a 75-foot Meditation Labyrinth, 1,500 square feet of vegetable, herb and flower beds which can be harvested for free. There is a free library and an information kiosk. Six stainless steel percussion instruments are available to be played by visitors. The GreenSpace also provides a seating area where visitors to Main Street can rest and enjoy the flowers.

Bull said the next step in the development of the Fassett GreenSpace is to create an endowment fund which will provide for maintenance of the site in the years to come.

For more information about the Fassett GreenSpace, Art For Rural America or the endowment fund, contact Bull at 518-937-3234.

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